Little Theatre barks up the right tree in staging Gurney's 'Sylvia'

If a dog is man's best friend -- especially when a mid-life crisis beckons -- where does that leave his job, his home, his family and whoops, his wife?
 

The Little Theatre of Fall River tackles this dilemma in a delightful, straightforward production of A.R. Gurney's "Sylvia."
 

The story of the play, quite simply, revolves around the relationship between mild-mannered, middle-aged Greg (Jay Burke) and a rambunctious canine named Sylvia, played by Karen Robinson. This actress has enough energy to portray an entire kennel.
 

Playwright Gurney devises yet another tribute to the human spirit in all its sublime and yet unremarkable manifestations in this sensitive comedy about life's lessons and choices.
 

The juxtaposition of the interplay between characters is charming and, at the same time, comically unsettling. What we have is a married couple now sharing thoughts, spoken and unspoken, with a dog. Karen Robinson's excited "Hey! Hey! Hey!" translates into the incessant, yipping bark of the family pet. Characters speak directly to and about her. She, too, speaks directly or in stage asides.
 

Greg gives himself over in an almost lovesick way to the presence and demands of adopted stray Sylvia, while Kate, (Deborah Sadler), his wife of 20 years, displays clear opposition to the frisky new addition. Moreover, she questions Greg's need for this diversion, which proves to be a full-time preoccupation.
 

Kate is a woman grounded in reality and in her own desire to succeed as a teacher of Shakespeare and the beauty of the spoken word to inner-city schoolchildren.
 

In her view, she and Greg are where they should be in their marriage and professional lives. Mostly, she sees this time in their lives as an opportunity to spend more quality time alone with each other. She has no interest, whatsoever, in communicating with this furry intruder who seems to have usurped, with Greg's help, her place in their relationship.
 

The conflicts of this twosome --well, threesome -- spill over into some shared hilarious moments supplied by Jeff Belanger, as "Tom, etc." Mr. Belanger first appears as macho dog-walker, Tom, owner of super-canine stud, Bowser. Tom also spouts "guy" philosophies pertinent to pet owning.
 

Next, in show-stopping comedy, he enters as the socialite Phyllis, Kate's confidante and ally in the Sylvia-as-home-wrecker episodes. Mr. Belanger's success in these multiple roles comes from his ability to play each with utmost seriousness and sincerity.
 

Never once does he break character and attempt to embellish humor for the sake of a laugh. He doesn't have to; it's a done deal with this consummate actor. Shades of Mrs. Doubtfire and Dame Edna come to life in yet another unforgettable portrayal.
 

Lastly, Mr. Belanger comforts a frustrated Kate as therapist, Lesley or Leslie, take your pick. He/she is deliberately undecided, unfinished, only to prove the point that gender perceptions are individual, as is a relationship between a man and a dog, for example.
 

Ms. Robinson is a burst of fun and energy as the lovable Sylvia. She is a master of physical movement and thoughtful portrayal. She is immediately likable and accepted as a skilled performer.
 

Mr. Burke sensitively conveys heartfelt emotion as he embraces the calm and joy in crafting a simpler time in his life with Sylvia as its focus. "You trigger those instincts in me that take me back in some basic way," he confides to her.
 

Ms. Sadler is steady and strong as a powerful comedienne and compassionate stage partner. Her visual takes and stage business are skillfully timed, often echoing our own sentiments in trying situations. Director Robbie Burke has combined her love of theater with her love of animal adoption. The Burkes' own pet, Jesse, is an "alumnus" of Fall River's Faxon Animal Rescue League.
 

The Burke household has been home for numerous stray animals in the past. Since Sylvia is a fictional stray, Mrs. Burke saw Little Theatre's production as an opportunity to collaborate with and support the work of local animal shelters.
 

A portion of ticket sales will be donated to Faxon Animal Rescue League and Forever Paws in Fall River. Donation boxes are also set up in the lobby of Little Theatre's Firebarn during the run of this production to receive much needed towels, blankets and other items appropriate for the shelters.
 

Little Theatre of Fall River's production of "Sylvia" continues at the Firebarn, 320 Prospect St. at Highland Avenue, at 8 p.m. tomorrow through Saturday evenings and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for students and senior citizens, $5 for children 12 and under. Little Theatre advises, however, that "Sylvia" contains strong language and is not recommended for children. The box office number is (508) 675-1852.